The Study on Medicinal Plants and Their Uses to Treat Human Ailments in Damot-Gale District, Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted in Damot-gale district between October 2015 and July 2016. It was focused on the investigation of traditional uses of various medicinal plant species of the study area. A total of 80 (60 male and 20 female) informants, aged between 21-96 years old were identified from 13 kebeles. Relevant information was collected by using semi-structured interview, field observation, field guided interviews, group discussion and open ended questions. The collected data was analyzed using preference ranking and paired comparison methods. 77 medicinal plant species were identified and collected from wild (natural habitats) and home gardens. The reported medicinal plant species were distributed in 35 families. The category of reported species includes trees 19 (24.66%) species, shrubs 23 (29.87%) species, herbs 30 (38.96%) species, climbers 2 (2.59%) species and succulent 1 (1.29%) species. The most important parts utilized for preparation of remedies were leaves from 42(54.55%) species, roots from 15(19.48%) species, seeds from 15(19.48%) species, flower from 8(10.39%) species, barks from 7(9.09%) species and fruits from 6(7.79%) species.  Knowledge of medicinal plants is wider among elderly women and men while the young are comparatively less knowledgeable. This indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants was gradually disappearing due to the secrecy, unwillingness of the young generation to gain the knowledge, disinterest of the young generation in traditional medicine and the influence of modern education. Local administration, NGOs and other stockholders must involve in awareness creations on traditional healers to transfer their knowledge to the next generation without secrecy and biodiversity conservation.

Keywords: Ethnobotanical knowledge, Home garden, Medicinal plants, traditional healers.